If you’re reading the headlines, the sky is falling. PLEASE NOTE that negative headlines sell ads, so always keep the agenda of media outlets in mind. That said, the sky isn’t as sunny as it has been. Inflation is a dark, rainy cloud. It hasn’t dissipated as quickly as we’d like, which led to the Bank of England raising rates again, which led to mortgage rates rising in sympathy, which led to a slowdown in sales. Depending on where you look, the average 5 fixed-rate mortgage is around 6-7%. Compared to a year ago — when the rate was below 3% — that increase seems massive and the average purchaser’s monthly payment has now more than doubled this calendar year alone. However, compared to historical averages it still seems relatively low. What gives, and why all the uproar? 

I know I’ve been beating the drum on this issue for a long time, but the shock of rising rates is more pronounced because we’ve been in such an unprecedented period of (stimulated) growth. We’ve been propping up the housing market for so long that many buyers today have never seen rates that would be more in line with historical averages. Rates may eventually go back down, but when we see mortgage rates on the rise, taking a broader look at market patterns can help us reset our perspective and not default to panic mode. Remember – what goes up, must come down, and then go right back up again. Hold tight and choose to see what’s coming as opportunity. 

Although the evenings are gloomy, the roads are busy, and the weather outside is frightful – moving home during the festive period can be a stress-free process if you’re well prepared for it. Whether you’re buying your first home this season or moving on to your next, here are some top tips for a smooth move during the holidays…

Book a removals company

With unfavourable weather, limited staff and packed schedules, removal companies can be difficult to reach close to Christmas, and this can cause complications with moving. As we reach the end of the year, companies often get booked up in advance, so make sure to ring up as early as possible and secure your delivery slot.

Christmas decorations

Years worth of Christmas décor can quickly turn into a festive frenzy when moving house, so it’s a good idea to organise and label your boxes of seasonal goodies so that they’re ready for move-in day. If you’re moving just in time for Christmas, you’ll likely want to have your decorations unboxed right away, so pack them where they’ll be within easy reach and won’t get damaged. 

Prep for bad weather

Weather conditions are always an important factor when moving, and you’ll need keep an eye on the forecast while you’re planning. Adverse weather can cause delays when moving your belongings, so try and choose a day when the odds are in your favour.

If you’re heading towards a snowy or rainy moving date, protect your new floors from any wet and muddy shoes by laying down cardboard or plastic sheeting in the rooms and on the staircase.

You will also need to prepare for your journey, as trying to stay warm when the temperatures are low can be just as exhausting as overheating, so make sure to leave some warm clothes out of the suitcase and keep a jumper or coat spare just in case!

Shop early

Get your Christmas shopping out of the way early so that you aren’t disrupting your move. If you’re able to, go through your present list and make sure everything is packed and sent out before moving day. The last thing you need when sorting and packing your belongings is a big pile of unwrapped gifts and cards to wade through. If you’re moving close to Christmas, it might also be a good idea to get your food shop done early by ordering online so you can avoid any last-minute shopping and queueing close to the big day.

Secure all valuables

The festive period presents many opportunities for thieves, especially if you have any high-value items or presents boxed up at the ready. Stay vigilant and ensure all of your belongings are safe while you’re moving. Never leave a door unlocked or a vehicle open and unsupervised, and keep an eye out throughout the process for any opportunists who might’ve noticed a moving van outside your house.

Spread the cheer

A nice touch for this season is to leave the owners of your old home a small welcome pack or note with some helpful information inside. You could write up some handy tips about living in the home – such as when the bins are collected or the designated safe-place for missed parcels.

While you’re at it, why not leave a Christmas card as well? After all, ‘Tis the season to be jolly.

If you’re looking for your next home, take a look at our selection of properties. 

Interior design is more than just dressing up a property to look nice, it’s all about making your house feel like home. Throughout 2022, we saw hundreds of iconic interior design trends filtering from celebrity quarters into our homes across the UK – from classic throwbacks to hypermodern and minimalist – we can look back on these trends to see what’s being left behind, and what we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the months to come.

Hideaway home offices and private spaces

From many of our learned behaviours since the pandemic, isolation and working from home are the two that have become integral to the way our homes look and function. Hideaway offices that are completely separate to the rest of the house offer a healthier work-life balance – a far cry from working at the kitchen table back in 2020.

Luxury monochromatic

For a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, monochromatic patterns and palettes will be an ongoing trend stretching far beyond 2023. This style is simply made for bathrooms and kitchens, offering a clean and modern look.

Arches

Arched doorways and windows have become big news in extensions and renovations, with gentle curves softening out the clean-cut edges that have proliferated for so long. Moving away from sharp corners and straight lines, softness has become very contemporary in recent years, with home designs seeing relaxed, stripped-back styles replacing the bold and edgy.

Wavy wood

Soft and curved wood is the modern interpretation of the humblest of materials, implementing a stylish, smooth spin on one of nature’s roughest textures. From curvy coffee tables to smooth seating areas, nature-inspired homes can swap out rustic textures for something sleeker and more refined with these materials.

Vintage furniture

Fast furniture might be on the way out, as the lack of longevity for these highly accessible pieces creates catastrophic waste. Those decorating their homes into 2023 come from a planet-conscious generation, and vintage furniture is the way to keep the cost down and find beautiful, high-quality furnishings without having to overspend.

Lavender

Lavender is making a lot of noise in the interior design scene, and for good reason. The balanced, soothing tones make it a versatile colour for decorating – whether it’s used as an accent or as a statement. The sweetness of the pink and coolness of the blue make for a happy medium that can be implemented into all areas of the home for a stunning pop of colour that doesn’t steal away the whole show.

Statement stone

From classic marble countertops to romantic rose quartz coasters, stone finishes are the perfect statement. These natural materials with their glossy surfaces and muted hues will be making a welcomed comeback into 2023.

Bringing back the 70’s

The 1970’s influence we’ve seen on fashion runways lately has clearly translated into the interior world, and it’s no surprise that the earth tones, biophilic design and low-slung furniture of this era will be coming back into our homes imminently – albeit with a modern twist. 

Wondering how much your home is worth? Find out by arranging a free valuation.

January is a fantastic month to prepare your property for a February sale. With the Christmas holiday behind you, hopefully you are feeling refreshed and ready to roll up your sleeves. 

Spring is always a great time to sell, so getting ahead of the competition and preparing for the coming months is a great strategy. 

So, why not put your house on the market in February? As each day passes, the warming weather will heat in harmony with the property market. Early birds will be searching, and probably have been, for their ideal home since last year. So getting your house on the market in time for February is a savvy move, because it not only beats the rush but also gives you extra time to sell and get the price you want. 

So, what can you do? 

A good entrance 

You and your home have made it through the winter, but there might be a few scars. Place yourself in your buyer’s shoes and look at the entrance to your home as you approach from the front. Are there any blemishes on the front door, or is there any paintwork that needs attention? Guttering? Weeds? It might not be summer, but you can still neaten up the front garden. 

Outdoor living spaces 

Entice buyers by showing them a vision of all-year-round outdoor living. Perhaps an outdoor fire or stove, some chairs, and a few logs. The leaves have long since been swept up, and if things appear tidy and serene, it might move buyers to buy. If they see outdoor winter living as well as a vision of the summer before and after the sun goes down, then perhaps they will move quickly. 

Create a cosy and warm atmosphere 

If this warm and wonderful atmosphere is also captured inside, then you are onto a winner. Offer proof of the coming spring with flowers or plants. A fire that is clearly in use and a living room that is in order (and lived in) will undoubtedly make potential buyers feel at home.    

An early spring clean 

It might not be spring yet, but that’s no excuse to give your home a good spring clean. If you do nothing else, your house will sell itself if it looks clean and well cared for. Combined with some of the other steps you can take, a speedier sale is almost certain. 

Give your own home a house inspection 

Empathise with your potential buyer and have a good walk through your house with your phone, taking pictures of anything that might need attention or dissuade a potential buyer. Even if you started this process last year, you are almost guaranteed to find areas that need painting, repairing, or replacing. If you start this process in January, then the clock is ticking and it's best to prioritise the various jobs you find. Ask yourself if you will get your money back if you find something that involves spending significant amounts of money, or if you can improve something that does not involve large injections of cash. 

Relax 

When all this is done, just sit back and let your house sell itself! The hard work is done, so enjoy the proof of all your hard work during the time you have left together because it won't be long until you will be on the move! 

Looking to sell swiftly? Contact us to see how we can help. 

Emergency property issues aren’t good for tenants or landlords, and the best way to safeguard against these potential nightmares is to take preventative measures before they arise. Then you can sleep soundly at night in the knowledge that you have done everything you can to drastically decrease the odds of a costly, dangerous, or life-threatening emergency. 

Carry out these safety checks regularly 

Gas: A Gas Safety Certificate is a legal annual requirement. It's perhaps the most obvious and well-known of all home safety certificates, but it's less known that it applies to all gas appliances, not just your gas boiler. 

Electrical: All fixed electrical appliances need to be inspected and tested every five years by a qualified electrician. 

Don’t forget the fuse box: If you are letting your property, you might find that the existing fuse box is obsolete and does not meet current safety standards, so it's best to check this with a qualified electrician. 

Smoke alarms: It's not expensive, and it's a legal requirement that there's one installed on every floor. The potential damage caused without them can be catastrophic, cause death, and if fitted and not correctly maintained, can affect insurance coverage. 

Plumbing 

Drains: Blocked drains cause flooding, which in some cases leads to costly repairs and uninhabitable homes. Prevention is simple – all you need is a bottle of drain cleaner, which you can buy from any supermarket. 

Pipes: Insulating pipes is another inexpensive way to prevent a potentially hugely costly disaster. In winter, pipes contract in the cold and then heat up once in use. This repeated process can cause them to crack, leading to an even bigger leakage of money! 

Regular inspections 

It’s always a wise move to have a clause in your tenancy agreement that, with written permission requested, you can inspect your rental property within 24 to 48 hours. You can’t legally enter the property without the permission of the tenant, and this allows you to regularly check the state of your property should you feel the need to do so. 

Landlord insurance  

Differing greatly from conventional house insurance, a private residence policy will not cover you if you let your property. A good landlord insurance policy is worth every penny in the face of devastating risk; it covers damage, loss of rent, and legal expenses, plus almost anything else you feel could be a risk. A good conversation with a reputable insurance company is time well spent in order to find the right level of cover to protect your investment property. 

Make it happen 

Taking these measures now will keep your rental property safe and keep you informed of any maintenance or repair issues that may be on the horizon before they become major issues, so in terms of investment, they are no brainers! The good news is that all of this can be carried out by professionals, from insurance brokers, gas engineers to electricians. Getting in touch now with the right people won’t take long and could save you a lot of money! 

Need help finding the right tenants for your property? Contact us today. 

Whether you’re letting or living in your home, maintenance can be a pain to deal with and not very exciting. More work especially if you do it yourself, but property is most likely your biggest investment, and you want to protect it.  Cold wintry nights bring with them; Jack Frost trying to bite chunks out of your pipes, the wind stealing tiles from your roof and heavy rain and sometimes snow bringing the potential of floods. While you can’t stop nature, you can certainly protect against it with the right winter maintenance plan. So, what can you do to help keep your property safe against the assaults of winter? 

Pipes 

During the winter your pipes are going to get a lot of use. Repeated heating and cooling combined with a vicious frost can cause cracking. An easy step to take is to carry out a visual inspection, particularly of any external pipes.  Make sure they are insulated to protect them and potentially your bank balance from any large bills.    

Roof 

Run your eyes (do this from the ground) along the roof, check if there are any missing tiles, and make sure the gutters are in working order and draining and not creating an expensive and damaging pool up on the roof!  

Boiler and Radiators 

Check the boiler, make sure it’s serviced annually. Bleed the radiators, the more efficiently they work, the better it will be for your heating bill.  

Wood Burners and Stoves 

If you are lucky enough to own a wood burner, make sure the chimney is clear and it’s all in good working order. When did it last have a service? This will keep the heat flowing efficiently and safely.  

Draughts 

Do any internal doors need adjusting or replacing due to the hot and cold cycle of the seasons? Is there a draught coming from the seals around the fireplace? Or is there a draught coming from somewhere else? 

Insulation  

It could be there is a draught coming from the attic. One reason why is that you need to insulate your attic. For a messy job, make sure you are wearing protective clothing and a mask, but do not take on a job requiring skilled tradesmen. Better insulation will enable you to save massively on your heating bill. 

Salt and Shovels  

If you have a lot of exposed concrete paving or tarmac make sure you dig out your shovel, sand or salt so you can be prepared for snow and ice.  

Stock up 

Build up your reserves of wood, or whichever fuels you burn on the fire. 

Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors   

With so many fuels and energy sources in use, make sure your warning alarms are in good working order. One minute of your time to check the batteries is always time well spent. 

Insurance  

Check your policy. If the winter is going to be particularly bad with storms, ice, snow or floods then use it as a reminder to check in fine detail what you are covered for. Some policies might not cover for wind for example and the finer detail may state that only a certain amount of compensation is paid in the event of damage.  

Remember, if you spend a lot of time away for work or in a partner’s house, to adjust your policy accordingly as the house could be classified as unoccupied, even if it’s only for a certain period of time.  

Now That You Are Protected, Relax 

If you ready your property for winter, hopefully you will never have to use your insurance. But if the worst happens, you can sleep soundly at night knowing you are protected not just by bricks and mortar! 

Thinking about moving? Get a valuation today 

The Christmas lights have disappeared, it’s cold, and it seems like summer is so far in the future that it’s never going to happen, while you want to go back to the Christmas holidays, when you could relax with friends and family and plenty of good food. 

Soon it will be spring, and with it comes renewal. So why not make a little effort now to usher in some change? Here's some inspiration and a few practical tips for you to try that will help you shake off the January blues. 

Try something new 

The best way to snap out of the same old cycle is to try new things. If you are not ready to get back to your usual exercise routine, then perhaps you could try doing some home improvements. Let’s start with some simple things. 

Let there be light 

Simply adding more light to your home is a great way to create a better environment and a more cheerful living space. Soft lighting, which creates a warm and homely feel, is one way this can be achieved. 

Mirrors 

Hanging mirrors near windows will reflect more light and add another dimension to any room. It’s a complete illusion of course, but it works, as a blank, oppressive wall seems to suddenly become another room. 

You can rely on nature 

The lines between indoor and outdoor living are rapidly disappearing in this post-pandemic world. Bring some of nature’s wonderful colours and smells indoors by adding a few extra plants, flowers, or even fruit trees to uplift any room in your home. 

Furniture   

Whether your furniture consists of modern items, antiques, or even a freebies sourced from Facebook; sand things down, restore them, or simply paint them. Perhaps you already own the perfect table that, when painted, will transform your dining room. Sideboards and cabinets painted in bright colours are on-trend, or if you prefer the classic look, it will make you feel great and complete a room. 

Change your surroundings 

Pictures, paintings, and collectibles — authentic art that has been hand-painted by artists and captures the beautiful scenery of a place you love — are a great way to help alter your surroundings. Antique dealers always have something small and affordable, but if cost is not a concern, add to an exquisite collection. You can even get creative and make something with wood, or maybe photography or sewing is your thing! 

Get out and enjoy some viewings 

Perhaps you are determined to move and do not want to spend a single pound on anything in your home. If that’s the case, rid yourself of the January blues by going to see potential properties. Online viewings are an awesome way to see multiple homes, but there is no substitute for house viewings, to see if you get that special homely feeling. 

Get your 2023 property search underway!